Q&A with Michel Parmigiani of Parmigiani Fleurier

Oster Jewelers recently welcomed master watchmaker Michel Parmigiani of Parmigiani Fleurier to Denver. While in Denver, Mr. Parmigiani presented an extensive collection of Parmigiani watches at a special Meetup held at Oster Jewelers. Afterwards we had a Question and Answer session with the CEO of Parmigiani Fleurier:

Oster: Do you have a watch that reflects you the most as a person?

Michel Parmigiani: The whole collection is reflecting of myself depending on circumstances and events. I would say I do have a special affection for the Kalpa though.

The first years of Parmigiani were marked by the completion of several in-house calibres, this included the creation of the iconic Kalpa watch. The Kalpa comes with their traditional in-house chronograph or tourbillon movement. Since 1996, Parmigiani collections have found harmony in this diversity of expertise and fusion of classic with modern elements; the Kalpa is testament to this.

O: When creating a watch, which do you appreciate more: technical challenges or artistic design?

MP: Being a watchmaker obviously the technical challenge is what keeps me up at night. However, a beautiful movement is only validated by a matching harmonious design.

Fun fact: By ‘harmonious design’, Michel is referring to the incorporation of the Fibonacci Sequence into his watches. The Fibonacci Sequence is historically considered perfect mathematical design in harmony with the laws of nature.

The Parmigiani Tonda Tourbillon is housed in a platinum case and has a black alligator Hermès strap.

O: Now that you are CEO again what major changes on the horizon do you see for your brand?

MP: I was always a huge guiding piece to the equation over the years and now that I’m CEO again I will pursue the same goals that have been driving the brand for almost 20 years.

Over the past several years Jean-Marc Jacot had been the CEO of Parmigiani. He helped create partnerships with the prestigious brands Bugatti and Hermes.

Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey have been working together for nearly 20 years in a relationship founded on their shared technical creativity and quest for perfection. In 1999, they began working on a new generation of tourbillon specifically designed to improve timekeeping of the mechanical watch. Four years later they unveiled “Greubel Forsey” and stunned horological aficionados with their innovative Double Tourbillon 30°, a timepiece clearly demonstrating their twin goals of innovation and excellence.

The Parmigiani Tonda Centum Perpetual Calendar is housed in an 18krg case and is truly a piece of technical artwork.

O: If you had not become a watchmaker what other industry would have sparked your interest?

MP: Architecture and design.

Fun fact: Michel was actually a part of designing the layout of Oster Jewelers – come by and check it out sometime.

O: Is there anything that you find disappointing about the modern watch industry?

MP: The corner cutting and loss of focus on craftsmanship led by the integration of very special brands into large corporate groups.

Very important point on special brands being pushed into large holding companies: more than ever, a company that is successful tends to be acquired into one of these big groups. From a purist approach, precious brands that get shoved into companies like LVMH, Richemont, and Swatch can lose some of its original sentimental value, leadership and brand vision. Fine watch craftsmanship is truly about keeping rich history and mechanical intricacies hinged on brand culture.